Mountain rescuers warn: Scafell Pike is not a playground for the inexperienced

Mountain rescuers warned England’s highest mountain is not a playground for the inexperienced.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said it is concerned at the increasing number of avoidable incidents on Scafell Pike, after the latest callout when two people got caught out on the hill in the dark.

The pair had set off on Thursday at 3pm, with no torches or navigation equipment.

Team spokesman Richard Warren said it was: ‘a classic example of a totally avoidable situation where two young adult walkers can drive up to the Lakes that day, arriving at 3pm and set off for the summit when the clocks have just gone back.

“At 5pm it’s getting dark and at 6pm with only the light from their mobile phones they are lost and on very difficult ground near the summit of the highest mountain in England.”

The two walkers rang 999 and the Wasdale team was called out by police just after 6pm.

Mr Warren said: “The team leader used smartphone technology to accurately locate their position but they did not have the map, the compass and torches or the skill and experience to make their way safely down, avoiding the danger areas.

“Due to the situation and the potential for injuries descending with just mobile phones, the team leader had no choice but to mobilise the team: two in the control room back at base and seven team members on the hill for a four-hour rescue.

“It is of great concern to the Wasdale team that this type of situation is becoming more and more frequent.

“Many teams across the Lake District are struggling to understand the lack of thought and consideration for the volunteers who go out in all weathers, day and night at any hour.

“The Wasdale team has dealt with nearly 100 callouts so far this year including five fatalities.

“We need to get the message across that Scafell Pike is not a playground for the inexperienced walkers who believe that setting off at 3pm to climb the highest mountain in England with inadequate equipment is a sensible thing to do.”

Patrick

03 November 2018

As a dutchman who roams UK's hills quite frequently I have great respect for the volunteers who selflessly spend their time and effort in keeping the hills safe.
It is humbling that people put in so much time of their own to save people, most often in difficult weather conditions, while getting little or nothing in return.
I find it highly disrespectful that ill prepared people misuse those services and can get away with it with so much as a warning. I am not advocating a situation where people first need to pull their creditcard before getting rescued, but I think some sort of consequence is appropriate.
Rescues like these should be reviewed and people should be aware that misuse can lead to retribution by means of a fine.

Doddy

03 November 2018

+1 for what Patrick says.

Mally

03 November 2018

When we did Scafell a couple of years ago I was shocked at some of outfits some people thought were suitable- lots of kids in Crocs :(

H

03 November 2018

Mally, you probably saw my friends. They live barefoot, any shoes are an event! I agree with the 1st post. + 1 more for Patrick.

Alan

03 November 2018

I agree with what Patrick says.

Jock Smith

03 November 2018

Maybe we need to start naming those who have been rescued and the reasons why. Almost a `name and shame` but only where it's definitely appropriate? Excluding fatalities obviously.

Wainwrightwalker

03 November 2018

Do we need to consider going a step further....?

In some countries, their is a Law on Reckless Endangerment

Reckless conduct endangering life is a very serious offence that is laid in situations where a person recklessly engages in conduct that places, or may place, another person in danger of death without lawful excuse

So, do the actions of the individuals, or potentially a controlling mind in their group, and their decisions, mean that they have placed the lives of rescuers at risk of potential death?

Discuss.

Richard Warren

04 November 2018

Another callout last night at 2.15 am Sunday 4th. 10 walkers set off from Wasdale Head at 7.15pm. No map , no compass using smart phones. They had planned to be down in 4hours but got lost as phones lost signal (note that a ‘999’ call will search any provider for an emergency signal).

Team leader texted a message WC2H activates GPS and if sufficient signal will locate them. They were near the top of Piers Gill our areas Blackspot for lost people and a number of fatalities. Talked off the mountain.

Thanks to Penny for staying up all night and guiding them down safely by phone and not calling the team out for yet another truly avoidable Rescue. If any one out there has a contact for national media TV then get in touch via the team’s Facebook and I will try to get the message out to a much wider audience as this is becoming a nonsense and needs to stop before yet more walkers (and potentially rescuers) suffer hypothermia, injuries and in many of these situations life threatening injuries. We do know how they make these mistakes and we do have solutions but it will require action from the National Trust and the National Park who are currently working with us on this.

Richard Warren,
WMRT Press Officer and team member.

Fell Runner

05 November 2018

The ten walkers Richard refers to then went on to accuse the wasdale MRT of lying. They are from the Extreme Warrior gym in Chester.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1732612750201826&id=817345805061863

Margaret

05 November 2018

Rescue Team job now much harder and time consuming by the greater numbers finding their way to the hills (though often not back again) 'encouraged' in part by Government and its various Agencies.

This 'encouragement' also needs consideration.

Now everyone and their favorite aunt seems to think it is just fine to buy some kit (maybe) and head off up the nearest hill without having much of an idea how to use that kit or what hillwalking/mountaineering is all about.

Whatever argument or justification used, people are being 'encouraged' to venture into hazardous mountain environments and the unintended consequences of that 'encouragement' appear to have been given little consideration.

Angela Cowans

05 November 2018

Irresponsible people like this should be made to pay for being rescued.

Bill Pattison MBE

05 November 2018

Over 40 years ago as leader of Wasdale MRT,(a position i held for 22 years ) I took representatives of the bodies responsible for the management of the the Lake District nNational Park on a tour of thee Scafell Range ,pointing out the areas of particular danger to walkers eg Broad Stand Piers Ghyll,the crossing of Greta Ghyll and the bad step just above it and many other points where a bit of thought and some path rerouting and remedial work could make a difference.the result to the present day is practically zilch.It is one thing to encourage more people to visit the wonderful Lake District but with it lies a responsibility to do all that can be done to make sure that those who visit are prepared to do so in a competent and responsible manner.On a similar thread I have suggested some ideas for the future.I used to of the opinion that mountain rescue should always be free,I honestly believe a change in that philosophy should be seriously examined.Bill Pattison MBE

Bill Pattison MBE

05 November 2018

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY COMMENT?

Pete A

05 November 2018

It’s obviously just daft what those walkers did (and would have been so on many lower fells). It’s also thoughtless and unfair to the Mountain Rescue teams. However, the idea that there should be some sort of criminal penalty of reckless endangerment is a rather excessive response. Throwing scree down into Wasdale Head would be reckless endangerment. The MR are not being forced into a dangerous situation: they do it selflessly, and all credit to them. (Also in this case I guess the MR team wasn’t in any great danger, unlike the walkers. They did, however, have to spend their whole evening on an avoidable rescue). It would be a pity if the threat of criminal sanctions hung over anyone who took what someone deemed an excessive risk (which is quite subjective). Most serious (high) mountaineers are taking quite serious risks, despite being superbly prepared.

Pete A

05 November 2018

A charge for avoidable rescues is no bad idea though!

Paul

06 November 2018

The idea of charging for using MRT, is quite frankly - and i use this word advisably: stupid! Its reactionary on so many levels, and would be dangerous.

Al Churcher

06 November 2018

If not a enforceable charge, such people should have the expense & time involved in a rescue & be strongly encouraged to make a decent contribution.
The reckless endangerment idea is wrong, & wouldn't work anyway.

Bill Pattison MBE

07 November 2018

Perhaps Paul would be kind enough to advise me why he thinks charging for Mountain Rescue is stupid reactionary and dangerous.During my 84 years I have been on close to a hundred climbing trips in a wide range of countries.Not one country offered free mountain rescue and it is prudent to obtain insurance to cover that eventuality . I have however not advocated charging for rescue but where a party are uninjured and only require the services of a guide I would regard charging guiding fees as only fair.What i do consider as stupid and dangerous is people venturing on the fells without a map and compass and more importantly the ability to use them plus a torch and spare batteries.I am afraid many people seem to switch their phone on and their brain off.Ask the Barn Door Shop at Wasdale Head how many people ask if you need a map and compass to go up the Pike .Thousands .

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